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8/29/2008 12:26:00 PM EDT
I know that over a good while a regular GI mags spring will stay compressed after you leave them loaded for a while but how long can you keep the Pmags loaded for?
8/29/2008 12:31:29 PM EDT
[#1]
mine stay loaded, and I have never had a problem.  They have been that way for over a year, and function/reliability has not suffered.
8/29/2008 12:35:01 PM EDT
[#2]

Quoted:
I know that over a good while a regular GI mags spring will stay compressed after you leave them loaded for a while but how long can you keep the Pmags loaded for?


I think if you keep the little end caps they have on them they can hold the Ammo. without any problems. P-Mags don't have metal feed lips so this is the main reason they provide a way of making sure the Ammo. does not pop out of their Mags.

Now if your asking about the P-Mag. springs I am sure they will not have any problems with being compressed over a long time.
8/29/2008 12:50:06 PM EDT
[#3]
It isnt being compressed that wears srings out. Its the flexing of the metal while being compressed and relaxed that wears on springs. Just like a copper wire thats bent will be work hardened a spring will work harden with flexing, it just takes more flexing to harden. Go ahead and load the mags up with out concern.

The other thing to consider with P-mags is the dust cover. The cover pushes the cases down and takes pressure off the feed lips. Dr Drake has said that he has personel pmags that he has left loaded for a year without cover laying on a dash and didnt have a problem. But that just Dr Drake talking about his own experience not something official from Magpul. My opinion is that if the pmag is loaded for storage put the cover on it. If its loaded for immediate use then no cover IE: bed side gun.
8/29/2008 1:14:20 PM EDT
[#4]
I keep my pmags loaded.  I havent had them that long but if they cant be stored loaded I dont want them.  I keep my GI mags loaded and have never had any problems with them.
8/29/2008 1:50:04 PM EDT
[#5]
I keep all my GI mags loaded all the time... over a year and a half now. I haven't had any trouble out of them yet. I did have some old GI mags that I bought 2nd hand and had feed problems... I stretched the springs a little and they've worked fine for over 2 years.
8/29/2008 5:44:29 PM EDT
[#6]
Cars sit on springs forever and they dont wear out and the weight is never off of them . when they start to sag if when the been used alot . the weight sitting on them not moving does not hurt them . same goes for gun mags
8/29/2008 5:46:38 PM EDT
[#7]

Quoted:
I know that over a good while a regular GI mags spring will stay compressed after you leave them loaded for a while but how long can you keep the Pmags loaded for?


They use USGI springs.
8/29/2008 6:10:48 PM EDT
[#8]
I have some 20 and 30 round USGI mags that have been kept loaded for close to 20 years and still function flawlessly every time I use them.  These mags were not even new when I got them.

What has killed some of my my mags is droping them when they were loaded.  The extra weight of the rounds can cause them to disform badly.

Now I don't even care about mags since there is no ban they can be replaced as needed.  I have extra's just in case.....   Besides a new Pmag is less than the ammo you'll load in it and that only gets used once.

I lump mags with ammo, lube, and cleaners- consumables.


8/30/2008 7:52:07 PM EDT
[#9]
USGI  SS Springs are just fine. CS and other wizzbang springs are a waste of money.
8/31/2008 4:31:31 AM EDT
[#10]
I've had PMAG's loaded for close to two years now without the impact cover.  Zero issues thus far.
8/31/2008 6:50:17 AM EDT
[#11]
USGI SS Springs are just fine. CS and other wizzbang springs are a waste of money.

I agree with you, the SS springs are fine, but if you could upgrade to a CS spring for the same price, why wouldn't you?

Larry
C Products
8/31/2008 7:19:45 AM EDT
[#12]

Quoted:


I agree with you, the SS springs are fine, but if you could upgrade to a CS spring for the same price, why wouldn't you?

Larry
C Products


One reason would be if the mags are going to be exposed to the elements.  SS out perform CS in moist conditions.  Humid climates and sea water ops are the worst environments for CS springs.
8/31/2008 9:03:29 AM EDT
[#13]

Quoted:
I've had PMAG's loaded for close to two years now without the impact cover.  Zero issues thus far.


It's good to hear that.  I was worried about having to have the impact/dust cover installed all the time and needing the mags quickly.  

I just bought my first 30 round PMAG, probably not last PMAG, at the Lakeland gun show.  I haven't used it yet but I like the quality and fit in my Colts.  Great fit and drop free.  

I also picked up two MAGPUL followers for two of my U.S.G.I. mags.  They feel smooth and I couldn't get them to tilt, even when I tried too.  

I do have a question about the PMAGS.  

In a post by MAGPUL Posted :: 1/8/2007 1:47:38 AM EDT the following statement was made.  

NOTE: This magazine is not meant to replace metal mags for individuals who shoot daily for a living. They were made as a volume supplement to issue mags that can be made quickly, in large numbers with minimum variances in manufacture.
 

Link to statement.  www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=124&t=309747  

I noticed some of our military fighting men and women (combat) and L.E.O.'s (duty) are using PMAGS.  Is the statement still in effect?  I was thinking of using PMAGS for duty use "IF" I ever get to carry an AR on duty.  

The topic has 96 pages and I didn't read all the pages.  
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